Understanding Benefits

Responsible Investing

Through the ELCA Pension and Other Benefits Program, Portico strives to empower members to live well for life — physically, financially, and emotionally. By living well as whole people of God, we can better enhance the lives of others — doing God’s work in Christ’s name for the sake of the world.

Cure Versus Healing

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Cure versus Healing is an exercise designed to highlight the difference between cure and healing in Christ. While we tend to want the quick cure, healing is typically a process that involves personal reflection, hard work, change, and always faith.

Example 1: I've got a cold. Am I seeking cure or healing when I pop the cold medicine or make that quick trip to the doctor for an antibiotic? Is it cure or healing when I slow down and give myself rest, liquids, and healthy food? Is it cure or healing when, after recovering from my cold, I vow to get more rest on a regular basis?

Example 2: I've been diagnosed with terminal cancer. Am I seeking cure or healing when I continue treatment, participate in support groups, and attend healing services? Is it cure or healing when I come to peace with my diagnosis — accepting and loving myself as I am? Is it cure or healing when, in the midst of this cancer, my faith is strong and my relationship with God, loved ones, and self is healthy?

When to Use Cure versus Healing:

As a wellness conversation-starter in your faith community

As the basis for a sermon

To stimulate dialogue when a healing story appears in the day's lectionary

Cure versus Healing is adapted with permission from a document written by the Rev. Frederick W. Reklau and originally titled, Thesis on Cure (and Healing).

This information should not be considered or used as a substitute for professional health care advice. By providing this information, Portico Benefit Services is not providing any medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Each individual is responsible for his or her own health and medical treatment decisions. You should talk with your doctor to determine the lifestyle changes and health care treatment options appropriate for you.

Contacts

Portico Customer Care Center

Plan member rights under the plans are governed by the plan documents, which are the full, legal descriptions of the plans. If any of the information on this page is inconsistent with the corresponding plan document, the plan document is the controlling document.